Swords clashed, bodies moved, loud sounds; Zelda watched never had it ceased to amaze her how the two boys could fight with such skill. She looked around and brought her left hand up to her chest and coughed before calling out in an unusual deep voice "Link" she announced him as winner of the second round.
The two swordsmen looked over at her "is something wrong Zelda?" Link asked looking over at her.
Zelda stood tall and cleared her throat getting her voice to return to normal, this was embarrassing "yes I'm fine, just something in my throat" she smiled at Link letting him know she was okay.
"Alright then," Link looked at Roy, "ready for the final round?" he asked twirling his sword in anticipation.
"You know the words Princess" Roy said getting into stance.
"The current score is a tie, 1 and 1. This match will decide the winner" Zelda said and as before raised her hand, looked at the fighters, and brought it down. The battle began. Zelda watched her body for some reason felt like a bit of a mess, once this battle was over she'd excuse herself and get some rest. She couldn't worry Link and Roy, and it wasn't going to get to her, she followed the boys' motions watching as Roy jabbed and Link brought up a shield and blocked. The hylain princess began to feel a pain in her head, she fought it. The battle wasn't done yet, even so Zelda was beginning to wish it were. She watched Link make a counter attack and Roy was knocked down but got up before she could tell if it was a call or not. In the back of her mind, a voice inside of her kept saying 'please someone just finish the battle' but the fight went on. It kept Zelda everything she had to stay in control of her body as she fought not to fall, after another 15 minutes Roy was a goner and Zelda called the match.
"Damn, why won't you just lose?" Roy growled with annoyance that he had lost to Link once again.
"Ha, you think I want to lose. Besides the tournament will add up soon" he said with a smirk, the boys began to glare.
"I challenge you again, come on Princess a new battle" Roy said and got ready.
Zelda shook her head, "I'm sorry but I'm afraid that I need to get out of the heat," she looked around and saw Popo and Nana walking side by side as usual then over and spotted Captain Falco, "I'm sure Captain Falco wouldn't mind to judge though if you're still going to go at it" she said.
Roy nodded his head and ran over to get the captain to judge them while Link walked over to Zelda. "So are you going to the courtyard?" he asked supposing she wanted to sit in her 'special spot' in the shade.
Zelda smiled "No, I'm slightly thirsty I will get some water and then probably take a quick nap. Don't forget to take a break yourself Link, you don't want to push it to hard" she then turned and walked away and towards the Smasher mansion. Link watched before scratching the back of his head before walking back towards Roy who seemed to be having trouble persuading the pilot.
Zelda opened the mansion doors and walked towards the kitchen to get herself some water. She stumbled a bit but quickly shook her head dehydration was a terrible thing but she had made sure to take a good amount of water, perhaps she was just dizzy from the summers heat in general either way she was thirsty. When she reached the kitchen she took a cup and placed it under the fosset, turning on the water she waited until it was full before turning it off and bringing the cool cup up to her lips. The princess gulped down the water before quickly filling it up again and chugging it down. She gently placed the cup on the counter and using a napkin dried off the water that was leaking from the side of her mouth and wiped it off. She left the kitchen soon after taking a stumble.
"Are you alright?" Fox asked who was passing by.
"I'm fine" Zelda said.
"Alright, see you later Princess" Fox said and began to walk away.
Zelda didn't hear anything he said though but when she couldn't sense his presence any longer she quickly placed herself against the wall and began to take deep breaths. Her mind was in frenzy and her vision blurred, the room was beginning to spin and Zelda closed her eyes. Even so she began to feel dizzy and sick, the next thing Zelda knew was darkness.
"Princess" a voice that was distant and echoed came to Zelda, "Princess Zelda" the Princess opened her eyes and blinked trying to get her vision back into focus. Her senses were messed up, she could barely make out what the other person was saying, her vision blurry, her mouth wouldn't move no matter how hard she tried, and she felt numb, unable to feel anything. She was barely conscious when she realized she was being lifted up, someone had picked her up. Zelda unable to do anything simply closed her eyes once again falling back into the darkness.
"Is she okay?" Popo and Nana were following Marth who had discovered the princess lying limply in the hallway. Marth said nothing as he reached the room Zelda resided in and lifting up her hand placed it on the panel allowing the automatic doors to open and the three stepped inside. "Tell us Marth, tell us" Nana said watching him place Zelda down on her bed and place the covers over her.
Marth placed a hand on her forehead and smiled, "she's fine you two" he said at last to the impatient siblings. "I'm assuming it was just stress" he said, "I'll stay here with her, why don't you two go and get Link. I'm sure he'll want to know about her" he watched the two run off. "She doesn't have a fever or anything, and her pulse is normal" Marth couldn't seem to lay a finger on it though but something strange, Princess Zelda fainting from stress. It didn't seem like something she would do, either way he didn't need to be a doctor to know she simply needed rest. He looked up at the sound of hurried footsteps and saw Roy and Link standing there panting, he had to admit he was impressed at the speed, he must not have been far but one could never tell.
Link walked over to the bed and kneeled down, "what happened?" Link asked Marth but his gaze focusing on Zelda.
"I don't know the details but I found her laying unconscious in the hallway. She doesn't have a fever and her pulse is normal, I believe it is just stress. Though one of the girls may want to check and see if there is anything physical such as a bruise," Marth said. "She's rather close to Samus and Princess Peach so I figured we should ask either of them" he watched Link look at Zelda.
"No" Link muttered, "someone else. Anyone but those two" he said.
Marth looked confused before noticing Roy making a motion for him to come over "what Roy?"
"It's just that," Roy shook his head, "I don't think they would even if we asked."
"What?" Marth was obviously confused by this comment and waited for a further explanation from Roy who told him the details of what Samus had told him earlier. "That's absurd" Marth said, "well at the moment we just need to check for any sign of injury. Nana, would you mind?" he asked the sister who understood. The boys took Link away for the few moments that would take Nana just to look at Zelda
Zelda groaned as she opened her eyes, her senses were still a bit numb but she looked over at the sight of green. She smiled not needing to even bother getting her eyes to full focus, "Link" she was able to say with a small smile.
The boy kneed down and looked at Zelda, slowly he came into perfect view and she reached out and he took her hand "are you alright Zelda?" he asked.
Zelda nodded "I'm fine Link, thank-you but what happened?" she looked around.
"Marth found you unconscious in the hallway earlier" Link said, "we don't really know when you collapsed but it's been about three hours since I've been here."
Zelda opened her eyes wide, she'd fainted in the hallway? When though? "I'm sorry I didn't mean to worry you" she apologized. "You've been here for three hours?" she asked in shock as the words reached her.
"Yup, anyway though we think it's only stress that caused you to collapse so please get a bit more rest. I'll go and get you something to eat, I'll be back soon alright?" he said and the Princess nodded as he pulled his hand away, and left the room.
Zelda watched him leave the room before trying to remember what had happened earlier. Was it merely stress? She certainly didn't have an easy time when her two best friends had denounced their friendship and with the upcoming tournament only a few days away. Maybe she had been thinking and worrying to much and everything finally caught up with her. Eitherway, she wasn't foolish enough to jump out of bed and go running around. She looked over out the window where the sun was beginning to set. Closing her eyes she waited for Link to return listening to every sound.
The smashers were all busy chattering in excitement about the up-coming tournament. Getting in line Link grabbed a tray and walked along placing things on his tray for Zelda. He stopped and looked at a gray thick liquid that seemed to be bubbling every so often, he made a slightly disgusted face, he took a small sniff and flinched when he inhaled what seemed a mix of rotten eggs and strawberries. "They say it's supposed to be good for you" Fox's voice came and Link turned to see the smasher with a look of equal disgust on his face.
"What would possess anyone to eat that?" he asked kneeling down a bit so he was eye level with it.
"Nothing," Fox said, "no ones touched it, not even Kirby seems to have taken a chance." He pointed at the ladle that was obviously used to pour what ever it was into a bowl. "See how that ladle is still in its dent, also there doesn't seem to be a trace of the stuff being lifted. No drips on the bowl or anything" he watched Link nod. Before they both moved on "you seem to be hungry tonight Link, your battle with Roy must've been a good one today."
Link shook his head "ah no no I'm getting this for Princess Zelda" he said. "She isn't feeling very well so I told her to rest and I'd get her, her dinner" he grabbed some fruit and placed it on the tray "well see you later Fox" he said and reached down grabbing some milk, waved and left.
"See ya" Fox called back continuing on.
Link walked along the hallway carrying the tray stopping at Zeldas door and knocking, the doors slid open and he smiled seeing Zelda sitting up and smiling "thank-you Link" she said as he placed the tray down on a chair beside her. "You should eat up, stress or not" he said and watched Zelda nod she obviously hadn't had any intention on objecting to her dinner. "There was some really nasty stuff today, something gray and thick. Fox said they think it's supposed to be good for you, but no ones' touched it. You should be glad you didn't see it," he laughed.
Zelda listened as she ate but stopped after taking in a second scoop of soup, the sound of a stomach growling caught her attention and she knew it wasn't her own. "Link have you not eaten yet?" she asked.
"Well no" he admitted, "I've been with you."
Zelda looked at him in shock "you've been with me this entire time, you had to have atleast gotten something to eat before you came right, did you get water after the match?" she looked at him, had he really been here for three hours and not had a thing?
"Yeah" he admitted, "I was really worried and didn't want to leave before you woke up" he explained. "Nana and Popo came running out while Roy and I were still practicing. Roy brought me some water earlier though" Link looked at her, "but never mind me eat up Princess."
Zelda sat up tall and pulled out her voice strong and demanding "Link, go get something to eat. I'm sure you're hungry and I doubt you'd want to watch me eat all this."
Link looked at her, she had that determined look on her face soft but demanding, standing firm on her decision Link nodded knowing it was no use to try and convince her otherwise. He was not going to deny he was hungry but what if she collapsed again, her gaze continued to pour and he stood up "alright, I'll be back to check on you tomorrow so just take the rest of the night to rest okay?" he said and turned to leave.
"Alright" Zelda said and nodded "Link wait a moment" she stopped him inches away from the door which had slid open waiting for him to pass, Zelda paused a moment "did you really stay beside me the whole time I was out?" she asked.
"The only time I left was when Nana was checking if there were any injuries" Link repeated. "Other than that, they couldn't get rid of me, night Princess" he said and left the room with a grin.
Zelda could feel her cheeks get hot and she sat there in slight shock blushing a little, she had been out for three hours and he had not left her side the entire time. She closed her eyes before looking back down at her meal and smiling. Linkshe thought and looked down seeing her reflection in the soup.
Link soon enough walked among the line of food for the second time grabbing what looked good, ignoring the strange grey creation that was still untouched. Once his plate was filled he walked out and looked around spotting Roy and Marth he walked over to the table and joined them "hey" he said as he sat down.
"Hey man," Roy said, "so how's the Princess?"
"She's fine, she's eating in her room right now," Link said before sticking his fork into some meat and stuffing it in his mouth. "I told her to eat and get some sleep but knowing her she didn't need to be told," he said once he swallowed.
"Well that's good, it was a surprise I admit to see Princess Zelda succumb to stress to the point of fainting" Marth said leaning back. "Guess she's worried about the tournament a bit more than she lets on" he said.
"I don't think that's it" Link said lifting up his fork and twirling the piece of meat back and forth, he stared at it for a moment, "I know she doesn't care that much about the Smasher Tournament" he stuck the meat in his mouth. His mind wandered back to the night he had seen her in tears and wondered if it had anything to do with Peach and Samus.
"Well eitherway, as long as she isn't sick" Roy said who was feasting on dessert, "all is well right? I mean it may have even just been dehydration or something, she'd been out watching us in the heat most of the day and it's not exactly low temperature in the afternoon."
"As long as she's safe" Marth said. "Well, I think I'll turn in early, good-night to both of you" he turned and left leaving Roy and Link to talk about the tournament like the ones around them.
"I still don't like how Mario won last year, I mean he had to have cheated" Roy said bitterly after they talked about their upcoming challengers. "Hey want to make a bet on who's going to win the battle between Peach and Mario?" he looked at Link.
"Don't be an idiot, no offense to Peach but she's not exactly in the same league" said Link.
"Now that's a blow," Roy said, "she's definitely proved herself against him in other smash battles."
"Good point, he may even go easy on her," Link guessed and the two looked over at Mario who was sitting at a table alone. "Still, no deal" he said shaking his head.
"Bah, anyway atleast we get to get rid of the weaklings first. You and I are definitely going to face off one another so don't you go and get knocked out in your other battles" Roy said.
"Same goes to you" Link added and they continued on about the tournament and who they believed would be out and who would stay in.
As the cafeteria slowly began to empty the two swordsmen had gone over more than enough topics and were now just kicking back. They heard the gong and flinched at the loud signal that the dining hall was closing soon, both took the hint and got up. Grabbed their trays and tossed the leftovers into the trash before leaving with the others who had also realized they needed to leave. "Well until tomorrow then" Roy waved as they headed down separate corridors to their rooms.
As soon as they separated Links mind reeled back to Zelda, he was sure she was asleep by now seeing as how it was eleven he looked down the hallway that her room was in and walked down stopping between the corridor and the main hall. He shook his head and turned the other way and headed up some stairs to the next level where his room was and his bed waiting for him to climb into which he was all ready for. A good nights sleep would do both Hylains good so placing his hand out once he reached his room and the door opened for him he stepped inside and placed his gear on the side table and crawled into bed.